Bowl History
2000 Sugar Bowl 2 0 0 9 O R A N G E B O W L
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Florida State 46, Virginia Tech 29 NEW ORLEANS, La. – Playing on the biggest stage in school history – the national championship game – Virginia Tech proved it belonged among the nation’s elite, but fell short in its drive to capture the coveted national crown. In the end, the Hokies simply could not overcome their own mistakes and the big plays of the Florida State Seminoles during a 46-29 loss in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. In one of the best championship games in recent history, Tech rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to take the lead from the topranked Seminoles going into the fourth quarter. The Hokies had the momentum of 22-straight points heading into the final period, but that momentum turned in FSU’s favor on a crucial fourth-and-one play with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game.
The Seminoles picked up the first down and went on to take the lead with a touchdown at the 12:59 mark. A Tech fumble led to an FSU field goal less than three minutes later, and the Seminoles iced the game with another TD with 7:42 remaining. Tech showed no fear against its highly touted opponent, driving 76 yards to the FSU 4 on its first possession of the game only to fumble. It was the first of several costly mistakes. Florida State scored on a blocked punt and a punt return on the way to building a 28-7 lead. Sensational redshirt-freshman quarterback Michael Vick directed an 80-yard scoring drive just before the half to get the Hokies closer at 28-14. Tech added 15 more points in the third quarter to go ahead, 29-28. Vick accounted for 323 yards of total offense. He constantly avoided FSU’s rush with a dazzling display of footwork that led to 97 yards rushing and a touchdown. Vick added 225-yards passing and another TD. Tech out-gained the Seminoles, 503 yards to 359, but 170 of FSU’s total yards came on three long touchdown passes.
Michael Vick (left) wowed the nation with his performance in the national championship game against Florida State. Great plays such as Anthony Midget’s interception (below) had the Hokies leading going into the fourth quarter.
86
January 4, 2000 • New Orleans, La. Louisiana Superdome • Att: 79,280 Virginia Tech Florida State
7 7 15 0 14 14 0 18
– 29 – 46
FSU (3:22 re 1st) – Warrick 64 pass from Weinke (Janikowski kick) FSU (2:14 re 1st) – Chaney 6 blocked punt return (Janikowski kick) VT (0:30 re 1st) – Davis 49 pass from Vick (Graham kick) FSU (13:45 re 2nd) – Dugans 63 pass from Weinke (Janikowski kick) FSU (11:40 re 2nd) – Warrick 59 punt return (Janikowski kick) VT (0:37 re 2nd) – Vick 3 run (Graham kick) VT (7:54 re 3rd) – FG Graham 23 VT (5:57 re 3rd) – Kendrick 29 run (pass failed) VT (2:13 re 3rd) – Kendrick 6 run (pass failed) FSU (12:59 re 4th) – Dugans 14 pass from Weinke (Warrick pass from Weinke) FSU (10:26 re 4th) – FG Janikowski 32 FSU (7:42 re 4th) – Warrick 43 pass from Weinke (Janikowski kick) Team Statistics VT First downs 24 Rushes-yds. 52-278 Passing yds. 225 Return yds. 88 Passes 15-29-0 Punts-avg. 6-29 Fumbles-lost 3-3 Penalties-yds. 6-65 Time of poss. 36:25 Sacks by 4-31
FSU 15 23-30 329 80 20-34-1 7-44 2-0 7-59 23:35 7-37
Individual Leaders Rushing – VT, Vick 23-97, Kendrick 12-69, Stith 11-68, Davis 1-16, Johnson 1-12, Sorensen 1-7, Ferguson 1-5, Hawkins 1-4, Graham 1-0; FSU, Chaney 4-43, Minor 9-39, Team 3-(-7), Weinke 7-(-41). Passing – VT, Vick 15-29-0-225; FSU, Weinke 20-34-1-329. Receiving – VT, Davis 7-108, Hawkins 2-49, Kendrick 2-27, Johnson 1-23, Wynn 1-7, Ferguson 1-6, Carter 1-5; FSU, Warrick 6-163, Dugans 5-99, Minnis 2-25, Minor 2-23, Morgan 2-10, Chaney 2-5, Boldin 1-4.